San Francisco 49ers Rumors: Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha Released?

By John Ware

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

According to San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Dan Hanzus, veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha may not make the 53-man roster team roster. It has been reported that Asomugha has been hot and cold during training camp so far. He had two disappointing seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and was repeatedly burned by opposing wide receivers, collecting only four interceptions in those two years.

Prior to signing with the Eagles, Asomugha was in consideration of being the best cornerbacks in the league in competition to now-Tampa Bay Buccaneersstar Darelle Revis. Now, he is being questioned as to whether he has any game left in the tank.

If anyone were to watch Nnamdi in his glory days, they would see that he is a press-man corner. His strength is physicality. He is big, strong and long, and he likes to put his hands on wide receivers. Asomugha does not function well in off-man and zone coverages. He is 6-foot-2, which is tall for someone at his position.

Cornerbacks like Asomugha are generally vulnerable when they do not play press-man coverage. They can easily get tall from their stance, which can cause them to easily get beaten in the open field.

Another one of Asomugha’s strengths is his ability to defend the run. He is a good tackler who can be more than effective with the St. Louis Rams’ new running back committee and Seattle Seahawks‘ Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch. Releasing Asomugha may be an even bigger mistake now that cornerback Chris Culliver tore his ACL during training camp and will be out of action for the year.

John Ware is a San Francisco 49ers writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @OutermindMedia, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+